DR. A. V. MIDDENDORFP. 431 



females. They are tlien liimtetl with constantly increasing rapacity, 

 and are killed in the open sea by freebooters from all parts of the 

 world. It is evident that the only remedy for such a state of things 

 can be afforded by international protection. 



How rapidly extermination progresses is shown by the disappearance 

 of millions of bisons. With these, however, the case is quite different, 

 since their destruction is of no importance in an economical j^oint of 

 view. Its importance is merely of an esthetical character, and from 

 this standpoint only does modern civilization demand the preservation 

 of two specimen herds, numbering a few hundred head each — one in 

 Lithuania and the other in North America. Since the attempts to do- 

 mesticate the bison, and to produce a cross between it and our domes- 

 tic cattle have proved a failui-e, it is plain that the ground where the 

 bison formerly grazed can be more advantageously occupied by herds 

 of domestic cattle, since these animals mature earlier and yield milk 

 abundantly. 



The case is quite otherwise with the seal. This animal is of economi- 

 cal imi)ortance, and was created for a domestic animal, as I pointed out 

 many years ago. (See my "Siberian Journey," Vol. iv. Part 1, p. 846.) 

 It is, in fact, the most useful of all domestic animals, since it requires 

 no care and no expense, and consequently yields the largest net profit. 

 If we suppose the seal to have disappeared, what could take its place 

 as a converter of the immense supply of fish iu the ocean into choice 

 furs to stock the markets of the world? 



Bering's Island, which has been deserted for a hundred and fifty years, 

 now stands as a warning. Has modern progress succeeded, in any way, 

 in supplying the place of the sea> cow {Rhytina Stelleri), that huge mon- 

 ster which, as a consume]' of marine plants, was intended to convert 

 useless sea- weed into savory meat! 



If you will communicate (as you say you propose to do) the contents 

 of this letter to Dr. Merriam, whose address 1 do not know, you will 

 oblige me greatly. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant. 



Dr. A. V. MiDDENDORFF. 



(Dictated, owing to lameness.) — E. v. Middendorff. 



Rep/y of Dr. Emil Holiib, of Prague, Austria-Hungary. 



fUuter dem Protectorate Sr. Kiiis. u. Konigl. Hobeit des Erzherzogs Franz Ferdi- 

 naud von Osterreich-Esto. Dr. Emil Holub's Siidafrikanisclie Ansstellnug in Prag, 

 1892. (Darstellung der Forscliungsresultate seiner Letzten Afrikareise, 1883-1887.)] 



Prague, May 18, 1892. 

 Dr. C. H. Merriam, Esq., 



Washington, D. C: 



Dear Sir: With sincere attention I have perused the records of 

 your investigation of the habits, the present decrease, and regarding 

 the future of the Fur Seal {Gallorhinus Ur sinus Grray). Having well 

 considered the matter, I will xDass my opinion ^vithout any prejudice 

 whatever. 



The Grovernment of the United States may be congratulated upon 

 the action taken, in having sent out for the investigation of a matter 

 which falls into the Departement of the Board of Trade a Scientist, and 

 in this special case a man who has taken such great pains with the 

 object of his researches. 



Our age makes it to a duty for all civilized nations to bring tirade and 



